Improvement in car-axle washers



w. H. FITZGERALD.

CAR-AXLE WASHER.

Patented Aug. 1. 1876.

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N. FILTER, PHOTD-LITHOGRAPMER, WASHINGTON. Dv C- "Um'ran sTa Es PATENTOrrron.

WALTER H. FITZ GERALD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK;

IMPROVEMENT m CAR-AXLE WASHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 180,566, dated August1, 1876; application filed January 14, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER H. FITZ GER- f ALD, of Brooklyn, in thecounty of K ngs and State of New York, haveina-cnted certain new anduseful Improvements in Washers for Gar- Axles; and I do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters of reference. marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

My invention relates to an automaticallycompensating washer forcar-axles, which admits of being placed in suitable position in theaxle-box to prevent the admission of dust and grit, and retard theescape of the oils, thus enabling the axle to have its proper supply of.lubricant, thereby diminishing the chances of the journal becomingheated, consequent. 1y granting much longer wear to the axle, andcausing the invention to be a much needed and economical device forrailroads.

My improvement consists in constructing washers for car-axles ofsuitable material, with spring or yielding pressure, and of two or moreparts to conform to the axle, and to compensate for all wear of thewasher, as well as for any swelling or shrinkage of the materialemployed in its construction, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, and pointed out by the claim.

In constructing the washer of material of the nature of vulcanized fiberit may be eithermadein twosections,A and B,of the same material, or theside pieces 0 C may be of difi'erent nature from the center ones; butsaid side pieces may be permanently affixed, so as to appear in allparticulars the same as though the washer were constructed of but twoparts.

The main object of using difierent material for the side pieces would beto lessen the cost of construction, as such material is much moreexpensive than wood. Consequently, a washer may be made with itsbearing-surface of a composition superior to wood, and yet be as durableas though the entire structurewas of one material.

In constructing the washer of wood or of any material of a correspondingnature I make the center-pieces the same in width as the diameter of thecircle to be employed, and attach the side pieces 0 by pressure, whichmay be of spring or other substance, thus, with the aid of the verticalpressure employed, which is also yielding, making a washer which willautomatically compensate for any effect the oils or atmosphere may haveupon the' nature of the material used in its construction, as also forall wear it may receive from the axle, and keeping its true circle untilentirely worn through.

In constructing the washer to allow of its bearingsurfaces being ofanti-friction com position, the diameter of its circle may be madelarger than the diameter of the axle, and the space occupied withsuitable antifriction bearings.

I also employ a suitable covering, D, for the. sides 0 of the washer, toprotect the springs, and to prevent their action from being impeded orinoperative from the gums produced by the lubricants used, and the dustand grit settling on the axle-boxes, caused by the momentum of the cars.This covering D may extend a suitable distance over the center-pieces AB, and serve as guides for both center-pieces; or, if not extended toform said guides, metal or other guides may be attached.

In the drawing I have shown the springs a, which form the yieldingpressure for the center-pieces, as well as the springs 11,

which form the yielding side pressure, all inclosed within the coveringsD l), and connected to metal bars (I, passing through, or attached to,the various pieces; but I do not confine myself to any particularconstruction or arrangement of the parts, as the same may be variedalmost indefinitely without departing from the spirit ofmy invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Ihe combination of the divided washer with the springs or, thecross-piece connecting.

them, and the independent protecting metal case, provided with guidesfor said springs, substantially lied.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

WALTER H. FIIZ GERALD.

Witnesses:

CHRISTIAN L. HINEs, WILLIAM J. KNAPP.

as and for the purpose speci-

